Between the Lines

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly trimmed grass from the school's sport field. It was Friday—sports day. Students milled about in different jerseys, buzzing with energy.

Angel walked slowly onto the field, her jersey slightly too big on her. Her steps were heavy, her body weaker than usual. She hadn't been eating properly all week, not since the cafeteria whispers and the resurfacing of her family's tragedy. Her ulcer was flaring, but she said nothing.

Jordan was already on the field, stretching. He turned when he spotted her and jogged over.

"You're okay?" he asked. "You look kinda pale."

"I'm fine," Angel said. "Don't go all protective on me today."

Jordan raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Alright. But I'm watching you."

Victor had been tying his shoelaces nearby and glanced at them. His eyes lingered a moment longer on Angel than necessary, but again, he said nothing.

The game started. Angel tried to focus—dodging, running—but with every step, her vision blurred just a bit more. Her breath grew shorter. Then suddenly, mid-sprint, the ground tilted, and her legs gave way beneath her.

Gasps echoed.

"Angel!" Mimi screamed from the sideline.

Jordan was the first to reach her. He knelt beside her, cradling her head. "Angel? Can you hear me?"

Her eyelids fluttered, and her breathing was ragged.

"She's burning up," Jordan muttered.

Victor appeared beside him. "Move. I'll carry her."

Jordan looked up, his voice firm. "I've got her."

Their eyes locked, tension thick. But there was no time for pride. Victor nodded silently and helped clear a path as Jordan scooped Angel up and ran toward the sick bay.

Mimi, Kelly V, and a few others followed, panic-stricken.

Inside the sick bay, Angel was placed gently on the bed. The nurse took one look at her and immediately began prepping ice packs and calling the school doctor.

"She's got a high fever, and she's barely conscious," the nurse said.

"I think she has ulcers," Jordan said quickly. "She hasn't been eating properly all week."

Kelly V was already pulling out her phone. "I'm calling her dad."

Victor stood near the window, his hands clenched, jaw tight. He felt helpless—and he hated it.

Minutes passed. Then the front door burst open.

Captain Dewson stormed into the sick bay in uniform, his face unreadable.

"Where is she?" he demanded.

The nurse pointed. "She's stable now, sir. But she fainted from exhaustion, fever, and likely ulcer complications."

Captain Dewson's face finally cracked, just slightly, as he sat beside his daughter. He took her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.

"I told her to rest. I should've stayed home," he whispered.

Angel stirred weakly, her lashes lifting. "Adadi…"

"I'm here," he said softly. "You scared me."

Behind him, the students gave them space, quietly stepping out.

—

Back in the hallway, Kelly V tugged her brother aside.

"Victor," she said. "Be honest with me. Do you… like Angel?"

Victor looked at his twin, caught off guard. "What?"

Kelly crossed her arms. "I'm your twin. I know when your mood shifts. You've been hovering over her like some silent protector."

Victor sighed, leaning against the wall. "I don't know what it is. It's not just liking her. It's… it's more complicated."

"She's complicated," Kelly V replied. "And so is Jordan."

Victor's brows furrowed. "You think he likes her?"

Kelly V gave him a look. "Do you need glasses?"

Victor stared at the wall for a long moment. "Then I guess I'm not the only one trying not to fall."

—

Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Hannah and Juliet sat beneath a tree again, their drinks untouched.

"Jordan carried her," Juliet muttered. "Right in front of everyone."

Hannah looked mildly amused. "And Victor followed. It's like watching two lions circle one gazelle."

Juliet didn't smile. "I sent that note, . She does know it, but… I've been doing it since last term. I just don't like how people see her. Like she's some broken porcelain princess."

Hannah raised a brow. "You're still on that?"

Juliet snapped. "She's getting everything. Sympathy. Attention. Jordan."

Hannah looked away, arms folded. "You know I'm not exactly her fan either."

Juliet nodded. "That's why we're friends."

There was a beat of silence.

Hannah then glanced at her sideways. "But you know everyone found out I was the one who exposed her secret, right? She didn't even tell me. I searched it. Found it online. It wasn't hard. The whole story was there."

Juliet was quiet for a moment. "And she knows it was you?"

Juliet nodded. "She does. And everyone else does too."

Hannah sighed. "Good. Then no one will be surprised when things finally break."

—

That evening, back home, Angel lay in bed—finally rested and fed. The nanny hovered around her, tucking in her blanket like she was ten.

Captain Dewson sat at the edge of the bed, silent.

Angel opened her eyes. "You're still in uniform."

"I didn't go back," he said. "They'll manage without me for a night."

Angel smiled faintly. "Thanks, Adadi."that her father real name she often call him that so he doesn't worry too much

He looked at her seriously. "You have to stop pushing yourself. You matter more than your pride."

"I wasn't trying to be proud. I just didn't want them to see me weak."

Captain Dewson softened. "But they care about you."

Angel didn't answer. She stared at the ceiling.

Later, as she reached for her bag to check her missed texts, something slipped out: another note.

It wasn't the same handwriting as the old ones. This one was bolder. Angrier.

"You can faint all you want, but it won't stop me from showing everyone who you really are."

Angel's fingers trembled slightly.

She knew the writing.

It was Juliet's.

Again.